Low white cells

[Juliandrea]

Hi everyone. I have been on Ibrance for 4 months. This month my white counts are low, a little bit shocked and worried. Dr is keeping me off for a week and going back on Monday to check counts again. Has anyone been off for a week and then started and continued with no issues? Also any suggestions on how I can increase white cells during the week off?

[HopeinNJ]

I have at least twice stayed an extra week off IBRANCE. I haven’t any advice for raising the WBC count. I seem to have adjusted to IBRANCE 125 and haven’t dipped lower than 1000 (neutrophils) that is. It’s pretty common for docs to hold IBRANCE once in a while.

[Juliandrea in reply to HopeinNJ]

Thank you!!! I feel better

[nstonerocks]

Hi Juliandrea,

In my experience this isn't at all unusual, so don't panic. It's probably happened to more than half the people who have taken Ibrance. Your doctor will delay the next cycle and maybe change the dose. It happened to me when I first started Ibrance, but I've been ok since. I don't know if there is anything in particular you can do besides eat well, exercise if you're up to it. I take vitamins. Sounds like your doctor is on top of this.

[Barbteeth]

I only took Ibrance 125 mg for two weeks and had to come off it for 3 weeks.. now starting lower dose of 100 mg

My oncologist told me she only has one patient who can tolerate the higher dose which made me feel better

So I wouldn’t be too concerned..there’s an even lower dose that can be tried

B x

[Juliandrea in reply to Barbteeth]

Thanks!!! That is so reassuring to know

[Barbteeth in reply to Juliandrea]

The whole situation is a worry but we ought to be pleased there are treatments..20 years ago it really was untreatable

B x

[blms in reply to Juliandrea]

Yep! Pretty much every month I am off over a week waiting for the counts to come back up. On 125 mg I only also was able to take it for two weeks and my accounts dropped really low then I was off for over three weeks before I start hearing hundred milligrams which is a lot easier to tolerate. Also the majority of Georgetown patients are on 100 mg. I am curious why To go below 1000. What worry your actual neutrophil count?

[Boogitymom]

I’ve been on Ibrance 125mg for 29 cycles, my numbers had always been ok but not great, then from January to April of this year numbers declined. Delayed 1 week in May and numbers have gotten better. Numbers is July were the best ever. Hoping labs next week stay good. I think the best you can do on your off week is eat well and rest. I’ve recently found that drinking a gallon of water daily has decreased my pain and made me feel better.

[blms in reply to Boogitymom]

You have to do the gallon of water a day. Helps Great deal with dehydration therefore also with energy. I have to also assuming is Euge help for your kidneys

[blms in reply to Boogitymom]

Yeah to all if you drinking more water!!!

[Jacqk]

Hello Juliandrea. I know exactly how you are feeling. This happened to me after my first round and I was so disappointed and worried. I Stayed off one week and wbc picked up week later. Finished round two and wbc dropped again so staying off another week. My Onc told me there is nothing I can to to improve my wbc ....it is purely caused by the tablet. Not sure if anyone has been told anything different xx

[Wintervt]

I am on my third cycle of Ibrance, my dosage is 75. The first two cycles I had to take a week off. Even with the weeks off and the low dosage my tumor markers are trending down.

[blms in reply to Wintervt]

Everything I hear states that all Dosages seem to work equally as well.

[Snowcone16]

I went down during my week off. Actually improved back on Ibrance. I am going into my 4th cycle. I have used IV therapy by a naturopath-high dose Vitamin C, juice, and about 5,000 mg of Vitamin C daily.

Not sure if they contributed to improving it but the numbers did improve.

🤗

[blms in reply to Snowcone16]

How did you like the IV see therapy and how often are you planning on doing it?

[Snowcone16 in reply to blms]

In AZ it was averaging about once every 3-4 weeks. Price ran $150 and not covered by insurance. After I’m settled in PA, I am going to look into it again. My last one was early June so I’m behind. Looks like pricing is the same. My preference is to find a place w a dr on staff. Although a nurse administers it, just makes me confident when it’s a drs Office. I did get a good energy boost because it included C, B and potassium. I see something called Meyers IV listed which is a combination. It’s popular for hangovers...(obviously not why I get it)!

[blms in reply to Snowcone16]

Although a hangover sounds interesting!

[SeattleMom]

Hi, Juliandrea!

I was taken off Ibrance for a week after a couple of months (due to low WBC). There was no negative impact (that I'm aware of) from being taken off for a brief period. I think the body needs time to become adjusted to the protocol and, over time, seems to balance out somewhat. That is, however, one of the primary side effects of Ibrance--low WBC counts. Some of the immunity boosters I started taking were Vitamin A and astragalus: amazon.com/gp/product/B0002...

Good luck to you and try not to become too concerned; this is a most common side effect!

XO Linda

[Kakoburr]

My dose was adjusted down to 100. Counts still drop but not as bad and able to continue. The interval off is OK and counts will come up a little but take heart, usually it does not continue to fall precipitously as with chemo. Also, take extra steps such as avoiding raw fish, using mask on plane, cleaning your seat area on plane, etc.

[darlenejulien]

I have been on Ibrance 125mg for almost 1 year now. My Oncologist. stopped it 2 x's both because I ended up in the hospital (flu & respiratory issues-nothing to do with Ibrance). My WBC are always a worry for me, they are up & down. When they are a bit low my doctor has me come in for blood work every 2 wk's. So far, it's been OK!

[Petreep]

I too am having trouble adjusting to the ibrance. Started with 125 that lasted for 12 days and was taken off. This lasted for 3 weeks and then placed on 100 mg dose. First round dropped count below 1; but they continued and this round I made it 11 days and I’m off again until numbers go back up. They will probably drop me to the 75 mg dose. I hate how tired it makes me feel when the white cell count gets so low and the mouth sores have been awful. So a blood test next week.

[Esl2008]

I have had to take two longer breaks since starting Ibrance in February. I am now on 100mg. My doctors tell me the only thing that can bring wbc up is patience.

[kit5]

the white cells will come back on their own. sleep, rest, eat, take care of yourself. nothing to do to increase the cells. don't worry!!

[Clair19]

I went through the same thing and felt great and was shocked. I can’t take it because it took forever to bounce back to normal blood work.If you where able to go 4 months that is good. At least you can take it, don’t worry it will bounce back and you will be fine to take it.

[tmills64]

I take astragalus it's a natural supplement my naturopathic practitioner put me on. It really helps with your white count.